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Lent
Lent opens with readings that call us to penance. However, this penance must be understood within its proper context. Penance is really an attempt to correct what is upset, to repair what is broken, to atone for the wrong done. Penance must spring from a contrite heart or acts of penance can be merely external feats of endurance.
Nothing that we do can reconcile us with God. No penance, regardless of its severity, can repair a ruptured covenant bond. Only the mercy and graciousness of God can accomplish this. And God has accomplished it in the death and resurrection of Jesus. It was God’s love for sinners that prompted such a magnanimous display of divine love. Through Jesus, the entire world has been reconciled to God. Now, each individual has the opportunity to be reconciled. Penance and acts of devotion are ways of benefiting from the treasury of divine mercy and love. They do not buy reconciliation; it has already been purchased.
Almsgiving and fasting and prayer are honoured ways of changing whatever prevents us from drinking from the streams of divine grace. Almsgiving reminds us of the covenant bond that joins us with each other and of the social responsibilities that accompany it. Fasting sensitises us to the dependence we have on the natural world. It also curbs our insatiable desire for more and more. Prayer unites us with God, the source of our being and our merciful covenant partner.
© Dianne Bergant CSA
Dear Families,
It has been another busy week this week, commencing with our Monday Morning Assembly where Mrs Bridget Archer MP presented new Australian and Aboriginal flags to our school, followed by some class visits. We thank Mrs Archer for visiting us and our new flags. Tuesday was our parent information evening, thank you everyone who was able to attend and a big thanks to our P&F and Board members who cooked and served our BBQ dinner. From all the feedback I have received, everyone felt the night ran well and I hope it has given you an insight into your child/ren’s class for 2021.
Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the commencement of Lent. Traditionally we celebrate the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, commonly known as Shrove Tuesday by eating pancakes. Thanks to our P&F, our students will be enjoying pancakes on Tuesday.
We will be celebrating Ash Wednesday with a liturgy and placing ashes on your child’s forehead. We receive ashes on our foreheads as a symbol that we do make mistakes and we are sorry for them. It is a way we can remember that by being sorry for our mistakes and trying hard to be better people, we will grow closer to God.
Do you know who your children are playing with? As a parent, what would you do if your child was approached by a stranger in park? Would you let your child invite a stranger into your house, or their bedroom? This week is Internet Safety week and today I wish to highlight internet gaming. In today’s world most children play some sort of electronic games and it is becoming more common that these games are online and have multiple players from around the world. A lot of these platforms also have chat options set up allowing gamers to interact with each other. If your child does play online gaming, do you know who your children are playing with, and are they appropriate people for your child to be interacting with? Online gaming can be a great activity for your child, so to ensure your child does this safely the esafety Commissioner has provided some great recommendations. Please click this link to view them.
We wish to welcome Mrs Sarah White to our team. Mrs White has extensive educational administration experience and will commence at St Thomas More’s in Week 4. Mrs White will work Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Mrs Greig has requested leave from St Thomas More’s Catholic School from the beginning of Term 2 until the end of the school year of 2021 to pursue other interests. I wish Mrs Greig all the best with this. We are currently in the process of recruiting a teacher for Prep M. If you know anyone who may be interested in the position, please encourage them to view our ad on Teachers On Net.
Yesterday we have had the damaged section of our fort removed. In the interim we are making repairs to the remaining structure, so our children will be able to use it. We will replace the destroyed section; it may take a while as some equipment will need to be ordered in from interstate.
God Bless,
Shayne Kidd
Shrove Tuesday - can you help?
Lunch orders for Ash Wednesday - 17th February
Next Wednesday, the 17th of February, is Ash Wednesday. As such, there will be no meat products available for purchase through the lunch order system on FlexiSchool, however vegetarian meal options and other usual products will be available for purchase.
Safer Internet Day - 9 February
The internet can be a great place to bring people together to learn and share. Over the past year we have all increased our usage of this tool to connect and collaborate. But we need to make sure that it is as safe as possible for our children.
The eSafety Commissioner has some fantastic resources for parents and carers including advice on managing time online, online gaming and cyberbullying. Visit https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents for more information.
Remember, it is never too early to “start the chat”.
Rebecca Thomas
Librarian
Primary School Music Program - Come & Try evening
The Launceston Catholic Primary School Music Program is holding a Come & Try and Information evening on Tuesday, 16th February at St Patrick's College.
Find out about enrolments, costs & times, meet the music tutors, and try some instruments.
Details can be found in the attached flyer: lcps_music_information_night.pdf
Information on the program, including enrolment forms, can be found on the St Patrick's College College website at www.stpatricks.tas.edu.au
St Patrick 2022 Enrolment - Information Evening
St Patrick's College have commenced accepting enrolment applications for our Year 7 students wishing to enrol at St Patrick's College for 2022.
Please see the attached flyer for details of the information evening to be held on Thursday, 18th March 2021.
Launceston Parish Youth Group
We’ll be the change......
For young people from grades 5 to 12
Music, Sport, Adventures, Social Work, Faith
Thursday 18th February 2021
6.00pm - 7.30pm
St Ailbe’s Hall, Margaret Street
For further information: Fr Chatty 0469661578
Attached you will find this week’s Launceston Parish bulletin. Please note the details for the Lenten discussion groups. If you would like to join one of the groups on offer please register with the Parish Office by next Friday, 12th February. Details of the Ash Wednesday Masses will be published in next week’s bulletin. With every blessing and best wishes,
Fr Mark Freeman